CFO (m/f/d) with renowned, leading residential real estate firm in Berlin

CFO (m/f/d) with renowned, leading residential real estate firm

Location: Berlin

Company Profile

Our client, Heimstaden is a leading, growth-oriented residential real estate company with an established presence across Europe. Founded in 1998, the company combines the stability and long-term mindset of a core institutional owner with the operational dynamism of a modern, technology-enabled real estate platform focused on the acquisition, development and sustainable management of residential assets.

At the core of its business lies the creation and preservation of high-quality, affordable living space and the responsible, long-term stewardship of residential properties. Its strategy is built on sustainable value creation, operational excellence and a clear commitment to tenant satisfaction, energy efficiency and responsible property management. The portfolio comprises residential buildings and apartment complexes that are actively managed, systematically modernised and further developed in line with long-term quality and sustainability standards. The company's business model is built on extensive acquisition experience and strong relationships with financial institutions, underpinned by a robust capital structure and access to diverse funding sources. Through disciplined asset management and operational excellence, it maximises value across its portfolio of approximately 160,000 homes while improving the lives of more than 250,000 customers. Sustainability is fully integrated into all parts of the business and embedded in the way long-term value is created.

As a major European residential owner, Heimstaden sees both a responsibility and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by improving the environmental performance of its homes, fostering safe and inclusive communities, and operating responsibly, transparently and with a long-term perspective. With business operations in nine European countries-Norway, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Finland, Poland, Czechia and Germany-a property value of around EUR 30 billion and 1,800 employees, the company is one of the largest dedicated residential owners and operators in Europe. Its European platform is supported by a network of local country offices across Northern, Central and Eastern Europe, with the group headquarters located in Scandinavia.

In Germany, Heimstaden has built a substantial and growing local organisation since entering the market in 2018. It manages a portfolio of around 29,500 residential units, primarily in Berlin (headquarters) and Hamburg, with additional assets in other major cities in northeastern Germany. The German entity operates from eight locations and employs well over 70 professionals. Germany represents one of the company's core growth markets in Europe and accounts for a significant and increasing share of group-level rental income and operational activity.

In recent years, the company has continued to strengthen its market position through disciplined portfolio development and a clear strategic focus on selected residential markets in Northern and Central Europe. Its international structure, strong capital base and professional asset and property management processes enable efficient execution, swift decision-making and a high degree of operational reliability. The company pursues ambitious capital market aspirations and aligns its structures and processes in the long term with the high demands of institutional investors and potential capital market transactions. A dynamic management team combines in-depth market knowledge, entrepreneurial agility and the clear objective of leading the company into a successful next phase of growth.

Sustainability is embedded in the way the company creates long-term value. As a major European residential owner, it sees both a responsibility and an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. Its focus is on improving the environmental performance of its homes, fostering safe and inclusive communities, and operating responsibly, transparently and with a long-term perspective. As part of the dynamic growth strategy and the targeted expansion of the management team around the newly appointed Country Manager, a new key position in financial management is available in Berlin. As Chief Financial Officer (m/f/d) in a permanent role, you will assume overall responsibility for all finance-related matters and play a decisive role in shaping the company's management in Germany whilst acting as key sparring partner to the Country Manager.

Target Position

The successful candidate (m/f/d) will take on overall responsibility for all finance-related matters and play a central, front-line role in shaping both the strategic and operational management of the company. In this position, you will serve as a sparring partner to the management team, contribute fresh perspectives and actively drive the further development of the finance function.

You will assess and right-size existing structures and systems, carry out a thorough review of the current situation and, on this basis, develop efficient processes and tools for a high-performing finance and accounting function. With a high level of professional expertise and strategic vision, you will analyse and evaluate investment and financing de-cisions, manage opportunities and risks, and ensure that the company meets the high standards expected by institutional investors and capital market partners. Your role requires strong interpersonal and decision-making skills, a truly entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to address financial matters clearly and purposefully in close collaboration with other senior management members. In doing so, you combine tact and assertiveness with a modern, solution-oriented leadership style, making a decisive contribution to keeping the group on a long-term growth trajectory.

Tasks & Responsibilities

• Acting as a sparring partner for the acting Country Manager
• Overall strategic and operational responsibility for the areas of accounting, controlling and taxation, Operational Cost, Dunning - including responsibility for budgets, results and personnel and change management processes
• Leading a team of 70+ people
• Responsibility for financial, property and project controlling, including a transparent reporting system to internal and external stakeholders (investors, banks, auditors, lawyers, etc.)
• Establishment and continuous development of controlling and reporting structures to effectively support corporate management
• Management and coordination of budget and liquidity planning; preparation of target/actual comparisons and variance analyses
• Providing technical and managerial leadership to the finance team at the Berlin office in close coordination with the Group Function
• Responsible for the preparation, analysis and commentary on monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements in accordance with the German Commercial Code (HGB & IFRS) by the respective responsible team members
• Ensuring compliance with all tax and commercial law regulations in collaboration with external tax advisers
• Serving as the primary point of contact for all tax-related matters, including income tax and VAT.
• Responsibility for contract and deadline management, as well as the implementation of relevant systems
• Actively contributing to the ongoing professionalisation of processes, structures and digital tools within the finance department
• Training, recruiting, developing and retaining staff to ensure an effective finance organisation
• Reporting to the acting Country Manager

Professional Requirements

• A bachelor's or master's degree in Business Administration, ideally with a specialisation in finance, accounting and/or taxation, or an equivalent qualification
• Relevant professional and managerial experience as a Finance Director, Deputy CFO, or Country CFO in an asset-heavy and operationally complex environment; real estate experience is desirable but not required.
• Proven leadership of sizeable finance teams, ideally 30-50+ FTE
• In-depth knowledge of internal and external accounting and controlling (individual and consolidated financial statements), as well as experience with HGB & IFRS
• Understanding of the business models of modern, forward-looking (property) companies
• Ability to act as sparring partner to a country manager (with finance background)
• Track record of cost reduction without damaging control quality
• Strong leadership qualities in terms of delegating responsibility, developing staff and providing feedback; furthermore, diplomatic skills and the ability to make decisions regarding complex or innovative decision-making processes in the interests of overall success
• Foresight, skilful prioritisation and the ability to recognise complex interrelationships
• An independent, precise and performance-oriented individual with excellent communication, assertiveness and presentation skills
• Commercial mindset combined with hands-on mentality and a focus on results
• Strong expertise in commercial and financial processes, coupled with a practical approach towards digitalisation, automation, AI-driven innovation and continuous process improvement.
• Professional and confident manner when dealing with business partners, colleagues and other stakeholders, characterised by integrity, loyalty, diplomacy and empathy.
• A modern, team- and goal-oriented approach to professional and disciplinary staff management, characterised by respect, as well as a high degree of teamwork and communication skills
• Proficiency in the standard and necessary IT applications, in particular MS Office, DATEV, MS Dynamics etc.
• Business-fluent written and spoken German and English

Leadership and personality profile

The ideal candidate is a structured, calm, and resilient leader who combines strong commercial awareness with attention to detail and a clear focus on effective controls. They lead with maturity, work collaboratively, and put the interests of the team and the business ahead of personal recognition. Their communication style is direct yet constructive, enabling them to challenge senior stakeholders confidently and make clear decisions.

On offer

• An exciting and varied position with a high level of responsibility, scope for independent action and creative freedom, as well as the opportunity to contribute your own ideas and initiatives in close collaboration with management and key stakeholders
• A positive, open and internationally oriented corporate culture that is actively lived on a daily basis.
• Close cooperation with leading players in the real estate industry and the opportunity to work in a professional, fast-paced and high-calibre environment
• A modern workplace in an attractive office location, equipped with excellent IT and working conditions.
• An attractive compensation package, including performance-related elements, in line with the responsibilities of the role

Note on gender-neutral language

In all terms referring to people, the wording chosen applies to all genders (male, female, diverse), even if the masculine form is used for the sake of readability. This abbreviated form of language does not imply any judgement.